The agreement, which it expects to close this month, is with Coffee Concepts, a joint venture between Hong Kong-based Maxim's Caterers Limited and F&N Retail Connection Co. Ltd, a company owned by Chareon's Thai Beverage Pcl.

Thai Beverage, known for its pale lager Chang beer, has non-alcoholic drinks portfolio that includes carbonated drinks and green tea.

Starbucks began operations in Thailand in 1998 and has 372 stores in the market.

Maxim's Caterers has been Starbucks' partner in Hong Kong since 2000 and also operates stores in Cambodia, Singapore and Vietnam. Under the agreement, Maxim's Caterers will oversee the retail operations and new store development in Thailand.

(Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Anshuman Daga)